As the world becomes increasingly aware of the benefits of stem cell technologies, countries in Asia and Oceania are embracing the technology; along with the United States which has loosened some of the restrictions in recent years. Here in California, ten years has passed since voters approved Proposition 71, which created the $3 billion state taxpayer-funded California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. In Europe, under general directives of the European Community (EC), individual member countries have the right to choose to use stem cells on the grounds of medical and health benefits.